Vinyl pressings
by David Gilmour · 1984
About Face was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 18 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
TML-S . SHSP 240079 1A-6U-1-1-A-side runout, variant 1
SHSP 240079 1 B-6U-1-1-B-side runout, variant 1
SHSP 2400791 A-4U-1-1-1 TML-SA-side runout, variant 2
SHSP 2400791 B-6U-1-1-1 TML-MB-side runout, variant 2
TML-S SHSP 240079 1A-6U-1-1-1A-side runout
SHSP 2400791 B-6U-1-1-5 TML-MB-side runout
SHSP 2400791 A-2U-1-1-1 TML-SSide A runout
SHSP 2400791 B-1U-1-1-1 TML-SSide B runout
P PAL39296 2D TML-XSide A runout, variant 1
P PBL 39296 2A TML-MSide B runout, variant 1
P PAL39296 2C TML-XSide A runout, variant 2
P PBL 39296 2D TML-MSide B runout, variant 2
P o PAL39296 2D 1 TML-X ASide A runout
P o PBL 39296-2B 1 TML-S CSide B runout
AL 39296Side A label
BL 39296Side B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | Columbia 20.506 / CBS 20.506First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 237996First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS SBP 237996First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Brazil | CBS 138587 / Discos CBS 138.587First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Harvest 2400791First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Harvest 062-2400791First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | EMI 062-2400791LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Israel | CBS CBS 25959 / CBS FC 39296First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Harvest 64 2400791First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 2826First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 2826First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237996First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | Harvest 2400791First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Portugal | Harvest 2400791LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | CBS DNW 2961First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | CBS 138587 / Discos CBS 138.587LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Harvest SHSP 2400791 / Harvest SHSP 24-0079-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Fame FA 3173 / Fame SHSP 2400791LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 39296 / Columbia C 39296LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
38 vinyl pressings of About Face are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1984 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Harvest SHSP 24-0079-1, released March 5, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHSP 24-0079-1, SHSP 2400791, SHSP 24-0079-4, FC 39296) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TML-S . SHSP 240079 1A-6U-1-1- and SHSP 240079 1 B-6U-1-1-. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
